Take the Independent Bookstore Day Challenge Saturday April 30

Find a participating store

Independent Bookstore Day is a country-wide celebration of books and independent bookstores on April 30. From Poulsbo to Lake Forest Park, book lovers will mark their calendars for this special day of literary parties.

Last year, 350 individuals participated in some way: by attending a reading, the closing party, or visiting at least one area bookstore.

Of those, 42 accepted the Independent Bookstore Day Challenge of visiting all 17 participating stores and were awarded 25% off at all participating bookstores for an entire year. It is a big commitment the 42 champions did not take lightly. 

We expect an even larger turnout this year and, with many of the same stores participating, a whole new enthusiasm for the challenge.

At Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park there will be treats provided by the Honey Bear bakery to the first 50 customers, free drip coffee all day at the Honey Bear Bakery, prize wheel all day with purchase, cake, scavenger hunt.

Here’s how you can be an Indie Bookstore Champion:

1. Pick up a bookstore passport at any of the participating stores on April 30th.
2. Visit ALL participating stores (get a stamp at any one store that has multiple locations) on April 30 and get their unique stamp on your passport.
3. Turn your passport in at the last store of the day to be crowned an INDIE BOOKSTORE CHAMP and WIN 25% OFF ALL YEAR AT ALL PARTICIPATING BOOKSTORES*

Can’t make it to all bookstores? Visit three or more and be entered to win gift cards, first edition books, and more! Grand prize is $425 in gift certificates ($25 gift certificate to each of the 17 participating stores)!Winners will be notified by email.

*Some restrictions apply. See each participating store for details.
*One gift certificate for stores with multiple locations.

Participating Bookstores: Ada’s Technical Books, Book Larder, Eagle Harbor Books, Edmonds Bookshop, Elliott Bay Book Co., Fantagraphics Books, Island Books, Magnolia’s Bookstore, Mockingbird Books, Open Books, Phinney Books, Queen Anne Books, Seattle Mystery Bookstore, Secret Garden Books, and all locations of Liberty Bay Books, Third Place Books, and the University Book Store.

All participating stores will be throwing parties on April 30 celebrating their thriving businesses, local authors, and loyal customers. Some of the great happenings throughout the Puget Sound are: author signings, raffles, scavenger hunts, art prints, prize wheels, kids tables, book giveaways, discounts and sales, workshops, story times, photo booth, dog costume contest, and many more!

Each store will be selling Seattle Independent Bookstore Day products commissioned from local artisans. Also available will be items representing the national Independent Bookstore Day. You will only be able to find these exclusive items at an independent bookstore on April 30th and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

You can follow IBD on Facebook , Twitter (twitter.com/bookstoreday), and Instagram (instagram.com/indiebookstoreday).